Hello. Welcome to Nobel Sixth Form

Sixth Form

Open Evening – Wednesday 1 November 2017 6:00pm-8:00pm

We are delighted that you are interested in joining our lovely school.

Our sixth form is on a really exciting journey with our students enjoying some of the best examination results in Stevenage and North Herts. If you are ambitious, hardworking and keen to make outstanding progress, then this is the sixth form for you.

In April 2014, Ofsted confirmed us as ‘good’ in all categories; we now intend to be ‘outstanding’ at our next inspection. It is a very exciting time to be a Nobelian and we look forward to you joining this happy school.

Martyn Henson
Headteacher

Our Vision…

The Nobel Sixth Form provides outstanding academic education for 16-19 year olds combined with excellent pastoral care, support and personal development opportunities, and a fantastic range of enrichment opportunities. This will equip students with the qualifications, skills and attributes for a successful future in higher education, employment and life.

Our Ethos…

We value everyone, embracing diversity.

We work together, learning from each other by sharing ideas.

We take responsibility for our own actions.

We push the boundaries of achievement and challenge ourselves to improve.

We measure and monitor our performance and have clear, measurable targets.

We encourage and support all types of enrichment activities.

Welcome to the
Nobel Sixth Form

As a new sixth former at Nobel you will be joining an inspirational community and will be well looked after by students and staff. If you are new to Nobel you will receive a comprehensive induction programme so that you can begin the year with confidence.

Since joining Nobel my daughter has definitely grown in confidence. The induction programme organised by the school really helped her to settle in quickly and she is really enjoying her Sixth Form experience.

Parent of a new to Nobel student

A message from
our Head Boy and Girl

On behalf of the Senior Student Team, welcome to the Nobel Sixth Form.

Studying Level 3 subjects may seem daunting, but you shouldn’t worry as Nobel has an excellent support network to help you succeed.

Our Sixth Form is a fantastic place to study with:

Great facilities

Brilliant staff who are welcoming, encouraging and care for their students

Students who are respectful and look out for their peers

A varied enrichment and volunteering programme.

All of these things help us to grow to be well rounded, successful individuals who can move easily into the next phase of our lives and we hope you will enjoy studying here as much as we have.

James Marshall and Emma Bull, Head Boy and Head Girl

Personal development and wellbeing

At Nobel we know that unless you feel positive about all aspects of your life you will find it difficult to fulfil your potential. We recognise that each student is an individual, with individual circumstances, talents and potential and that most, will at times, require additional support.

As a member of our sixth form you will mentored by your form tutor and the sixth form team. You will also be able to access a wide range of academic and pastoral services designed to support you throughout your sixth form experience.

Existing Nobelians

We are extremely proud of our Year 11 students and we are looking forward to welcoming you back and working in partnership with you to achieve academic and personal success.

I am really looking forward to using what Nobel has given me as I move on to the next stage of my life.

Year 11 student

New Nobelians

Each year we welcome a significant number of students from other schools who quickly become part of the Nobel community due to the warm welcome and comprehensive induction programme.

I was really worried about joining a new school for sixth form but the students and staff at Nobel quickly made me feel at home and I have had a really enjoyable and successful year. I definitely made the right decision!

Katy Taylor

Pathways to Success

This is an exciting time for Year 11 students and there will be a number of potential options for you to consider when choosing your Post 16 progression route.

We offer an extremely broad programme of study which includes 27 A Level subjects and 9 Vocational courses. Partnership work with the Stevenage Sixth Consortium broadens the offer further and solves potential subject clashes.

As a Nobel student starting your sixth form journey, we will ensure you are on the right programme which best fits your talents, interests and future aspirations.

Future Success

Ensuring all students have a clear plan in place for what they are going to move onto after sixth form is a strength of the school, with 98% of students securing further education or employment. We will work with you so that you have a complete understanding of all the options available to you, including apprenticeship opportunities, school leaver programmes and university courses and then support you through the application and interview process.

I was really unsure what I wanted to do in the future and didn’t know which subjects to take. The sixth form team at Nobel really helped me to focus on what was important to me so that I chose subjects that I would be successful in and ones which I would enjoy

Connor Searle – Year 13 student

KS5 Curriculum Pathways

Being on the right study programme is the first step in achieving academic success and enjoying your sixth form experience. As a result we have established a pathway system based on your performance at GCSE which helps you to choose.

The advice and guidance I received in Year 11 helped me to choose the right subjects for my future. Because of this I had a successful Year 12 and have just applied to Cambridge University to study Engineering.

Elana Dance – Year 13 student

Academic Excellence

Nobel has a proud tradition of sending students to the best universities in the country and one in four students secures a place at a Russell Group university.

The results for A Level and Vocational courses in 2015 were the best the school has ever achieved and progress for students continues to be outstanding.

A or A*

23%

A* - B

56%

A* – C

82%

AS result pass rate

93%

This year we have twelve students applying for a place at Oxford or Cambridge. If you are someone who aspires to be an Oxford or Cambridge graduate or attend another one of the top universities, we will work with you to ensure you receive the support you need, including:

Individual guidance and support for applicants

One to one academic mentoring

Support to help prepare for university entrance exams or ‘extra tests’ including STEP, BMAT, UKCAT, LNAT and the range of Oxford ‘Subject Tests’

Access to Oxbridge and Sutton Trust subject specific courses

Subject specific lectures

The opportunity to pursue an individual ‘university style’ Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), in an area of particular academic interest

Life after Sixth Form

All students receive a programme of support and guidance designed to prepare them for a successful life after Nobel. Through visits to universities, PSHCEE workshops, visiting speakers and one to one interviews students are encouraged to consider the different routes available to them so that they are making an informed choice.

University

If university is your chosen pathway we will support you all the way through the process. You will start with a subject focus day at university in Year 12 and focus on developing your knowledge of the different subjects you could study and the best universities for you. In Year 13 we will support you as you work through the diffi cult decision of which course and university to apply for, perfect your personal statement and submit your application.

Subject teachers were always quick to encourage discussion and debate in classes which developed the kind of inquisitive mind so highly sought after by many top universities.

Michelle Wan – former student now studying at Cambridge University

Professional Pathways

Each year many of our students choose an alternative route to university and we have developed a curriculum which provides them with the skills and qualifi cations needed to access a broad range of school leaver and apprenticeship programmes. There are some really exciting opportunities available in the local area and we have excellent relationships with local businesses and a proven record of securing students places on these programmes.

Sixth form students receive well-focused information, support and guidance.

Ofsted 2013

To be a Nobelian…

Our school has a very proud history. We are absolutely determined that, as well as leaving with the very best academic qualifications, we will also equip our students with the skills and character necessary to make a successful contribution to the changing world in which we live.

Being a successful Nobelian is not just about academic success. Whether you’re applying to university or starting an apprenticeship or school leaver programme at the end of the year, our enrichment programme will make sure you stand out from the crowd and equip you with the essential skills you need to ensure you leave Nobel feeling confident to take on life after school. You can see our enrichment programme in more detail on the Sixth Form section of the school website.

Our Sixth Form Ambassadors programme gives students the opportunity to get involved in a wide range of voluntary activities. Students are given responsibility and leadership opportunities that will help them develop the confidence to enjoy successful careers and achieve personal fulfilment.

Academic achievement, personal development and happy students; this is what ‘Excellence in Everything’ means to our sixth form.

Being a Nobelian is more than just a title; it is a promise to be the best you can be.